MEYER-OPTIK GORLITZ ORESTEGOR 200mm f/4

With fifteen aperture blades and a nearly perfectly round aperture you can be sure the Meyer-Optik Gorlitz Orestegor 200mm f/4 produces some fantastic bokeh, but I’m not going to go there and claim it’s the overused term “king of bokeh”.

At f4 those who may think anything over f1.8 is too slow or that a fifty or sixty plus year old lens isn’t worth taking a look at I’d suggest they’re missing out on a well built optically sharp lens that will surprise them.

It’s heavy in comparison to the current meme that lighter is better but the weight is due to not skimping on materials.

I’m on my second copy after having lost the first a few years ago when it fell out of a back pack over the side of a mountain – I was able to recover it after rappelling a couple of hundred feet down the mountain but it was beyond repair.

The passage of time did little to undermine my appreciation for this lens and I always believed I would run across a really good copy again at some point – life is good and I have.

I use it on a Sony mirrorless with an adapter – just a straight up no frills adapter that a comes with a straight up price tag that doesn’t border on insanity.

Looks pretty cool what with the zebra motif but also accentuates the diminutive size of my camera, not a problem though as the lens is long enough to act as a good handheld stabilizer.

Every vintage lens I acquire the first thing I do is cla them, this one didn’t require that as the previous owner made an obvious effort to maintain the lens.

Fifteen aperture blades is beginning to make something of a comeback in a few modern lenses and the reason for that should be obvious, but of course also reflected in the price tag.

Bokeh isn’t the primary selling point for me when it comes to a lens, though with certain lenses and what I’ll use them for it is a consideration – if it is a primary concern for you check this lens out if you get a chance.

I expect I may ruffle a few feathers in saying so but I believe there is enough opportunity in modern photography software to manipulate that it shouldn’t have to come to faux bokeh, which some software is beginning to offer – if that works for you well and good but it doesn’t for me.

I like and employ what editing software affords, especially in view of the fact that for me RAW is the way to go, but I don’t want to have to depend on it to address the shortcomings of a lens.

Having reacquainted myself with this lens should it too careen down a mountain I won’t wait as long to find a replacement.

Heard a lot of talk, predominantly good, about another vintage lens that is also noted for it’s bokeh , the TAIR 11A 135mm F2.8.

A Russian made lens featuring no less than twenty blades, never seen or used one but a friend told me they can be found mostly in foreign markets featured on eBay – said for what they are capable of the price generally isn’t out of line.

Lot of very fine lenses being produced now and some dogs as well, but of the vintage lenses that have crossed my path no more than a couple didn’t receive good marks from me.

Bokeh is a matter of taste – bubbles, hexagons, or whatever – depending on the subject I like it well pronounced, though subtle has it’s place.

If there are “rules” associated with it I’m either blissfully unaware of or fail to observe them – just doing what I like.

Would appreciate a little follow up – mint sweetens the pot.
Does it come with a case and or any extras?
If you purchase it once you familiarize yourself with it’s
characteristics I think you’ll be impressed with the bokeh
it produces.
Do you have a site or blog? Would be interested in seeing
your work if so.

Nice collection of lenses and Minolta made some good ones.
I’m still a little amazed at times that I have a blog, eight
years worth or so and covered a lot of ground – think you
might enjoy it if you got into it and easy enough to set up
and operate.
Will check out your Flickr – I think on the one hand the
beercan and the Meyer have an equivalency in some areas
but markedly different n other – more of a matter of taste.

It is obvious that you are American, and have a distaste for the current government. Me I’m Canadian and get to see from here on what Donald will do next. I fear we get more news here about the USA, than you do about us in Canada.
The lens comes with all,caps, hood and leather case..all original. Think I will take the plunge. I’ll jump on the bike and go see this guy. (couple hour ride)

Well, I went and bought it. A two hour ride on the motorbike. A nice cruise as we have an unusual hot spell of 94 degrees. That’s too damn hot for someone who is more comfortable with a couple of degrees below freezing. The bike makes it easy though, buckle up, a/c on full, and drive like you stole it.
I looked at the lens from all angles, brought my LED light and looked inside….it is mint. It does not looked used at all. Blades are dry, it does contain some dust on the inside. (not bad for a 40+yr old lens. Leather front cap, plastic rear cap, in a cardboard/leather round tube. Worth the 150 bucks? to me yes- I’m going for an education here. It takes a lot of time and money to teach old farts as myself! Have to buy an adapter for it yet. I think this lens will fit in nicely. I’d send some pics, but do not know how/where too.

Sounds like you did good – the dust unless egregious probably won’t impact image quality
in any way and with these older lens kind of a given there will be dust – one of the
first things I do when coming into an older lens is strip it down and give it a thorough
going over.
Include a photo or two with your new acquisition and I can add them along with your
comments on this particular blog or send them on to my listed email which should
appear alongside notification of replies and comments I make.

I’ve get a little heat from the odd Trumpkin or two re my encouraging Canada and others
to stand strong and tariff away with a few of their own – maybe create some hardships
along the way but standing up to a bully/buffoon is always better in the long run.

OK, I bought it $150 cad. I might be repeating myself… It looks really good mint really. With a high power LED lamp from both ends of lens looks good. Yes there is some dust particles present, it’s a 40+ yr old lens. Leather case, both caps, (front is leather) front hood, complete I think. Now the education starts for the old fart…look at me go!

Just a classy looking lens all around what with the Zebra “motif” and all.
We all have our preferences and mine are shooting RAW in aperture priority,
the lens seems to have an affinity for those settings though it performs
great in any mode I’ve used it in.
Like I always tell people “now get out there and take those photos only
you can ……. look at you go!

Well the adapter arrived today, a bit late in the day but it is here. I like your price better though, I paid 32 bucks. I got to swing it up to the sky and the first thing I noticed was the different colour (that’s how we spell it) of blue sky. I took a couple shots of flowers in the garden..I think I shake like an old fart waiting on his next fix. More speed!..OK that calmed me down.. How can I send you a pic or two ( I should have asked weather you wanted to see some first I guess, but I’m not very conventional)

Every time you leave a comment it shows your email add – sent mine there.
As to shake there may be times when you prefer not to bump your ISO,
in such a situation I use a tripod and a HONGDAK MC-36B remote ( cost
me something like $13 new in the box and works perfectly) highly recommend it.
The remote allows you program the exposure time thereby eliminating ISO
manipulation.